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Flooding: Thames in Oxford remains on flood warning

FLOOD defences have been put up in Oxford as the man in charge of the county's flood relief efforts warned people to get the sandbags out.

The Thames in parts of the city remains on flood warning this morning and officials have put up fresh flood defences at the rear of Bullstake Close, one of the worst hit areas off Botley Road in Oxford during last month's flooding.

The Environment Agency put the section of river between Botley, Hinksey and Grandpont under flood warning yesterday afternoon, with an alert that properties around Iffley facing flooding today and Botley tomorrow.

Flood warning means to homeowners and businesses should take action to protect their properties.

Rodney Rose, the county councillor with responsibility for tackling flooding, today said: “If you needed sand bags before, get them back in”.

Officials are monitoring water levels on waterways in flood-prone areas of the city.

The fear last night was that some properties could be flooded by morning, but there have so far been no reports of this.

Mr Rose said: “The situation hasn’t changed overnight, but looking forward to the middle of the week we need to be prepared.

“Certainly, demountable flood barriers will go up if they are needed, and if you have needed sand bags before, get them again.”

He urged anyone living in the at-risk zones to make sure they had a plan for moving furniture when the time came.

He said: “Make sure you have the ability to lift things up on bricks or upstairs.

“You really need to have an idea of how you are going to do it.”

But he urged city residents not to panic.

The Environment Agency said this morning: "The Thames Tributaries have now responded to the recent rainfall and this is expected to continue over the weekend and into next week.

"The Thames at Oxford is currently rising slowly, and there is a flood warning in place for the River Thames and tributaries at New Botley, North Hinksey and Grandpoint in Oxford.

"We are not deploying any flood defences today but are monitoring the water levels closely and we will review this if necessary."

Elsewhere in the city the Thames and its tributaries, including areas between Wolvercote down to and including Radley and Jericho, are on flood alert, the lower level. The Cherwell and its tributaries from Lower Heyford down to Oxford including Rousham, Enslow, Thrupp and Hampton Poyle are also on flood alert.

Other stretches of the river near the city have no warning on them.

The Met Office forecast remains a largely dry but overcast day. Rain is next forecast to come in on Tuesday, and it is likely to be heavy on Wednesday.

River Thames and its tributaries from Days Lock to above Pangbourne, including Dorchester and Overy, Shillingford, Benson, Ewelme, Wallingford, Winterbrook, East Hagbourne, South Moreton, North Stoke, Moulsford, South Stoke, Goring and Streatley

River Thames for the Abingdon Area, including areas between Abingdon down to and including Little Wittenham

River Windrush from Bourton to Newbridge including Burford, Asthall, Minster Lovell, Crawley, Witney, Ducklington, Rack End and Standlake

River Evenlode from Moreton in Marsh to Cassington including, Kingham, Bledington, Milton under Wychwood, Shipton under Wychwood, Ascott under Wychwood, Charlbury, Fawler and Long Hanborough and also the River Glyme at Wootton and Woodstock

River Ock from Watchfield to Abingdon including, Stanford in the Vale, Charney Bassett, Lyford and Garford, and also the Letcombe Brook at Wantage, Grove and East Hanney

Ipsoregulated

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